Restoring Democracy in his First 100 Days
A 21st Century supercut of calamity presents itself to us as the catalyst of Joe Biden’s work as president of the United States: the worst pandemic, economic crisis, and attack on our American democracy in decades. However tenebrous our conditions may be, the image of an excitingly beaming Biden ready to inform the nation of his first 100 days foreshadow brighter days ahead. As Amanda Gorman told the country at the 46th president’s inauguration, “the dawn is ours before we knew it.”
Among the most salient accomplishments President Biden mentioned in his speech is the distribution and allocation of COVID-19 vaccines. The victory seemed like a long shot when Biden first made this announcement (100 million vaccines in the first 100 days) – I expected to be disappointed by this lofty goal. The United States now has secured 200 million vaccines for use; the magnificent surplus of 100% will come in helpful for foreign nations so desperately in need of the vaccine.
The righteous accomplishments don't stop with the COVID-19 vaccines. There are others that spread to many aspects of American life. One such example is cutting child poverty in half through the American Rescue Plan. Another is replacing 100% of the nation’s lead pipes and service lines through the American Jobs Plan.
The President also described a two-hour phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Biden describes his counterpart as "earnest" about establishing China as the most influential country in the world. President Xi’s conviction is that autocracy will out-perform democracy as “waiting for consensus waits too long.” Next year, with the congressional midterm elections, it is hard to tell whether President Biden's powerful yet charming speech will affect a polarizing epoch of legislative history. President Biden's hope and ambition that the American people will ensure a just democracy never leaves its home with us.
--David Amaya
Public Popularity Overcomes Republican Resistance
President Biden”s address in advance of his 100th day in office wasn't to the meager assembly who gathered in the near-empty cavernous hall.
Tonight was an inclusive and direct message to everyone. His list of ideas, bills, and dreams is a big one.
Early polls are showing that his message resonated with a majority of Americans at home watching, although they lean a little over half towards Biden supporters. Overcoming the right side of the aisle that panders to a part of the public that demeans “Sleepy Joe’s” party of “demwits” remains to be the cancer Uncle Joe wants to cure.
--Michelle Naranjo